Obituary of Dr. Truett Vann Bennett ~ 2005

Transcribed by Joan S Dunn

Source: The Pamlico News Aug 21 2005

Dr. Truett Vann Bennett, beloved father, husband, grandfather, 
step-grandfather, church elder, music director, physician, a kind and 
gentle soul, passed into the next life August 19, 2005 at 5:25 pm at 
Craven Regional Medical Center.  
He was born March 19, 1922 in Cramerton in Gaston County, North Carolina. 
The youngest of the five sons of Reverend Preston and Florence Parker 
Bennett, he was raised in Asheville, North Carolina.  
He was an accomplished musician with a lifelong passion for the oboe. In 
1934 at the age of 15 he played in the first North Carolina Symphony. He 
also performed with many groups including the Honolulu Civic Orchestra 
(national doctor's orchestra), Craven Community Band, Pamlico County Band 
and an instrumental trio with Chris Mele and Lou Marini of Oriental.  
Truett left Asheville at the age of 14 to live with his brother, David, in 
Chapel Hill. He graduated from Chapel Hill High School where he played oboe
in the band his brother directed. He completed pre-medical education at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was captain of the 
track team and led the SEC as a pole vaulter. He received his MD degree 
from Washington University in 1945 at the age of 23. He completed specialty 
training as an ear, nose and throat surgeon at the University of Virginia. 
He was certified by both the Board of Otolaryngology and the American 
Academy of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery and was elected to the 
American Triological Society. He has, until recently, been a member of the 
American Medical Association and the North Carolina Medical Association.  
He proudly served in the Army from 1946-1948, completing Flight Surgeon's 
and Parachute School. He was also Captain in the Air Rescue Service.  
He practiced as an ear, nose and throat surgeon in Atlanta, Georgia from 
1953-1962 and in Honolulu and Kona, Hawaii from 1962-1990. Rather than 
enjoying a well earned retirement, he retrained in family medicine and 
established a general medical practice in Oriental, NC from 1990-1998.  
Dr. Bennett was a devout Christian who lived according to his principles 
and generously contributed his many talents to the community. He made 12 
trips overseas as a volunteer physician. The first four trips were to Viet 
Nam where he performed surgery under combat conditions. He subsequently 
went to Taiwan, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Egypt and Belize. He also volunteered
at Merci Clinic in New Bern and HOPE Clinic in Bayboro. He is an Elder in 
the Pamlico Presbyterian Church. He founded the church music program, 
organized a bell choir and has served as music director since 1990. He also
has performed on the oboe and piano at numerous services.  
A man who lived out his Christian values, Dr. Bennett will be missed by 
both family and friends. He has been a valued community member, truly 
dedicated to helping others.   
He was preceded in death by his brothers, David, Ed, Carlyle and Charles, 
and Patricia Henritzy, his first wife. He is survived by their sons, Dr. G.
Vann Bennett and wife Dr. Bernadette Pelissier of Hillsborough, James E. 
Bennett and wife Eva Bennett of St. Mary's Alaska; five grandchildren, 
Patricia, Lisa, Davis, Patrick and Vann; and his loving wife, Dr. Fran 
Deaton Bennett.  
Truett was much beloved by the Deaton family of six children, 12 
grandchildren and one great-grandchild. 
A memorial service was held at Pamlico Presbyterian Church, 1630 Kershaw 
Road in Oriental on Sunday, August 21 at 3 pm.  
Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home & Cremations, Alliance, NC.





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